H.R. 3319: Women’s and Family Protection Act of 2025

The Women’s and Family Protection Act of 2025 proposes several changes aimed at improving support for homeless individuals, particularly women and families affected by domestic violence and other vulnerabilities. The bill seeks to amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which provides the framework for homeless assistance programs in the United States. Below are the primary components of the bill:

Definitions of Homelessness

The bill modifies the definition of a "homeless individual" in several ways:

• Inclusion of Specific Populations: It allows for the inclusion of individuals who reside in indigenous, rural, or marginalized communities as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
• Consideration of Gender-Based Violence: The bill acknowledges women, especially those with children, and survivors of gender-based violence as a distinct subpopulation under the homelessness definition. This recognition aims to better address the unique needs of these individuals.

Emergency Shelter Program

The bill introduces a new focus within the Emergency Solutions Grants Program:

• Grant Assistance: The Secretary of HUD is required to make grants to private nonprofit organizations that serve high needs populations, including women and children who are homeless, pregnant, or victims of gender-based violence.
• Eligible Activities for Assistance: The funding can be used for various activities including:
• Operating costs of shelters
• Outpatient services such as mental health care and substance abuse treatment
• Supportive services like childcare, job assistance, case management, and trauma counseling
• Housing relocation and stabilization services for individuals at risk of homelessness

Application and Evaluation

Organizations seeking funding must submit applications detailing how they would use the grants. Additionally, they are required to provide evaluations of their activities, including:

• Counts of individuals served, specifically focusing on women, children, seniors, and survivors of gender-based violence.
• Data on housing placements and services provided.
• Collaboration with state, local, and tribal entities in addressing homelessness.

Technical Assistance

The bill also mandates that the Secretary provide technical assistance to organizations, offering guidance on best practices for supporting victims of gender-based violence. This includes training for staff, techniques for retention, and methods to coordinate services effectively.

Overall Focus

This legislation aims to enhance the support systems for vulnerable populations facing homelessness, particularly women and families affected by domestic violence, through improved funding mechanisms, more inclusive definitions, and better technical support.

Relevant Companies

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